Work Experience
Bama Environmental News, Publisher 1998 - present
The Bama Environmental News (BEN) is Alabama's first statewide weekly environmental online newsletter. First published in October 1998, BEN has grown from a circulation of 50 to 3900 in January 2010. The newsletter is considered the state's leading environmental and natural resource for information. Since its inception more than 350 editions of BEN have been produced. Each copy of BEN is archived at the BEN website. www.BamaNews.com
Eastern Forest Partnership Director, 2010 – Present
Leading a coalition of 20+ organizations from Maine to Florida addressing forest conservation in the East.
Built diverse coalitions in Nashville, Tennessee Asheville, North Carolina and Charleston, South Carolina in support of the America’s Great Outdoors Campaign
Developed the partnership’s strategic plan and fundraising plan – www.easternforest.net
The Wilderness Society, Southeast Regional Senior Associate 2006 – 2010
The Wilderness Society is a national non-profit membership organization devoted to preserving wilderness and wildlife. My responsibilities include advocating and developing land protection programs and projects throughout the Southeastern United States.
Environmental Consultant 1998 - present
My consulting responsibilities have included ecological and environmental policy development, organizational program development and outreach.
Current Consulting Projects:
Auburn University Center for Forest Sustainability
Policy Outreach
2004 to present
Past Consulting Projects:
Southern Environmental Center at Birmingham Southern College
Program Manager
1998 to 2005
Wilderness Society
Southeast Programs
2003 to 2005
Americans for Heritage and Recreation - Southeast Office
Southeast Coordinator for Land Water Conservation Fund Program
1998 to 2004
Alabama Urban Forestry Association
Program and Development Manager
2002 to 2004
Region 2020
Natural Resource Consultant
2001 to 2003
Discovering Alabama Television Program – University of Alabama
Development Consultant
2002
Headwaters Group
Natural Resource Foundation Research
2000 to 2001
American Lung Association of Alabama
Advocacy Coordinator and Lobbyist
2000 to 2001
Associated Colleges of the South – Environmental Program
Fundraising and Strategic Planning Consultant
1998 to 2000
State Environmental Leadership Program
Program Consultant
1999
Citizens for Lead Education and Poisoning Prevention
Grassroots Organizer and Lobbyist
1998-1999
Alabama Environmental Decisionmakers Project
Director
1998-1999
Current and Past Government/Non-Profit Appointments and Board Memberships
Alabama Environmental Management Commission (Appointed Governor Siegelman)
Commissioner - Representing Biologist/Ecologist Position – Vice Chair
2001 to present
Waste Reduction and Technology Transfer Foundation (WRATT)
Chair/Board Member
1994 to present
Alabama Forestry Commission Stewardship Committee
Member
2002 to present
Alabama Cooperative Extension Service Advisory Committee
Member
2001 to present
Citizen Lead Education and Poison Prevention Organization (CLEPP)
Board Member
1998 to present
Scenic Alabama
Board Member
1998 to present
Alabama Forest Resources Center
Vice Chair/Board Member
1997 to present
RCW Steering Committee/Natural Heritage Program
Member
Forever Wild
Board Member - Representing the Central Alabama District
1996 to 2002
Alabama Commission on Environmental Initiatives
Commission Member
1999 to 2002
Alabama Environmental Council (Formerly the Alabama Conservancy),
Executive Director 1989 - 1998
Responsibilities as Executive Director included supervising membership and fundraising development, managing office and volunteer staff, coordinating seven local chapters throughout the state, writing and editing six newsletters per year, speaking statewide on behalf of the Council developing environmental policy, programatic and advocacy campaigns, lobbying the Alabama legislature and coordinating with other environmental groups to achieve common goals.
Achievements and Accomplishments:
Increased organization's membership from 590 to 1200.
Increased Budget from $32,000 to $270,000.
Raised $336,500 in Grants from 1993 to 1998.
Increased staff from 1 to 5 positions.
Editor of more than 48 Council newsletters
Addressed numerous conferences - Since 1989 over 250 presentations
Successfully lobbied for the defeat of anti-environmental legislation.
Environmental Campaigns Initiated:
Alabama Environmental Watchdog Campaign
Sustainable Forestry Campaign
Little River Canyon National Preserve Campaign
Alabama Natural Wonders Campaign
Dugger Mountain Wilderness Campaign
Service on Environmental Committees:
Chair of the State Environmental Leadership Conference (National Organization)
Grassroots Environmental Effectiveness Network Advisory Board
Mobile River Basin Coalition
ADEM Air Toxics Committee
ADEM Jefferson/Shelby Ozone Task Force
Auburn University School of Forestry Advisory Committee
Oregon State Public Interest Research Group
Assistant Director 1988-1989
The Oregon State Public Interest Research Group (OSPIRG) is part of a network of environmental and consumer advocacy groups nationwide. My responsibilities as Assistant Director included building a coalition for the statewide campaign, fundraising for the campaign and educating the general public about the campaign.
Achievements and Accomplishments:
Built a statewide coalition which supported the
Nation's first Toxics Use Reduction legislation
Education
Graduated University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa,
New College 1988 B.A. Latin American and Environmental Studies
Personal Information
Married to Kathleen Rose-Byington, daughter Whitney Rose Byington
Member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Birmingham
Notable Natural Resource/Ecological Accomplishments
• Awarded Cahaba River Society’s Vision Award
• Vice Chair – Alabama Environmental Management Commission
• Worked on Little River Canyon National Preserve Designation
• Worked on Dugger Mountain Wilderness Designation
• Developed and published Landowners Forestry Guide
• Served on the RCW Steering Committee
• Worked on passage of the Forever Wild Constitutional Amendment
• Served as an active participant to the Mobile River Basin Coalition
• Board Member of the Alabama Forest Resource Center
• Board Member of the Waste Reduction and Technology Transfer Foundation
• Forever Wild Board, Environmental representative
• Auburn University School of Forestry Advisory Committee
• Developed Urban Forestry Homeowner Guide
• Founded and developed AEC Natural Wonders Campaign
• Worked with the Alabama Partners for Clean Air
• GREEN Advisory Board – dedicated to protection of Endangered Species
• Advocated for stronger health standards to prevent Lead Poisoning in children
• Founded the AEC environmental watchdog campaign
• Director of AEC when awarded the AWF Conservation Organization of the Year
• Held Greenways/Trails Summit for Region 2020
• State Geologist Search Committee
• Founded and held first ever Environmental Education Centers Summit
• Served on Governor’s Brownfield/Smart Growth Conference Committee
• Assisted in Development of an Environmental Studies Major at BSC
• Assisted Land Water Conservation Fund Projects
• Advocated stronger standards for mercury pollution
• Developed ozone education brochure and power point for APCA
Bama Environmental News (BEN), and links to most of Alabama's newspapers, radios and TV stations.